The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Thirty Five: A Response

"Meilani! Come on, you're going to be late for your exams!"
Minato called his adoptive daughter from the kitchen, reaching for the spice jar Kushina couldn't grab.
"And your food is getting cold!" Kushina smiled appreciatively at Minato. "Eggs don't taste very well cold, you know."
"I'm on my way!" Mei hollared from her room. She checked her bag for a fifth and final time, and secured a black ribbon around her wrist. Once she entered the dining area, she stood proudly with a hand on her hip.
"Are you two ready to have an almost-12-year old jonin?!"
The two paused and watched Mei with reminiscent stares. Kushina clutched onto Minato's apron while covering her mouth. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, and Minato smiled fondly. Mei had recently hit a growth spurt, and with the new growth came a new, not-so-preteen wardrobe. Minato was unsure of a few pieces of her wardrobe, asking if she was really old enough for a blouse or pair of shorts she selected. One glare from Kushina was enough to not only shut him up but also gave him the courage to uplift Mei's confidence.
"What, does my outfit suck?" She looked down at the black biker shorts with mesh leggings under. She checked her long sleeve mesh shirt with a purple blouse over. "I made sure to cover most of my arms and legs. You know, to avoid getting cut up by the forest.... You hate it."

"You look so grown up!" Kushina cradled Mei's face, pinching her chubby cheeks. "I swear it was just yesterday your father brought you home. Do you have to take this exam so soon?"
Mei frowned, looking at Minato. "I've waited 4 years.... You think I'm ready, don't you?"
"Of course I do. We both do, Mei." Minato held the two under each arm. "We've watched you grow to be one tough cookie, and there's nobody out there prouder than us. Kushina's only asking because she knows after this she can't baby you any more."
"I guess you'll just have to find someone else to baby." Mei pouted, fighting a smile. She then feigned shock and crouched down to Kushina's belly. "Oh, wait. Isn't my little brother gonna be here soon?"
"Well, now you're just being a smartass." Kushina huffed, shoving a plate in her hands. "Eat. Both of you."
Meilani realized halfway through that she was dreaming of a memory. She looked down at her hands yet her memory's body and mouth continued to move with the scene. She watched herself laugh and talk with her parents and frowned. How she wished she could repeat moments like these forever.
"Tell them you love them." She demanded her dream self. Dream Meilani looked around in confusion, as if someone had called her name.
"You alright, kiddo?" Minato waved a hand in front of Meilani. Dream Meilani's eyes met with a mirror and for a moment, it seemed as though she knew.
"I thought I heard something." Dream Mei continued to look through the mirror. Meilani stared back at herself with a knot in her stomach, and repeated herself. Dream Mei shook her head and thanked Kushina before cleaning her dish and running to the door.
"Tell them, you fucking idiot." Meilani pressed her wrist against her mouth and stifled a cry.
Dream Meilani paused at the door, and turned back to couple.
"I just wanna say... I love you both."
Meilani woke up as they smiled.

*****

Mei's head lifted from Kakashi's shoulder with a jolt. A lazy groan escaped her throat as she checked the time. She had woken up 5 minutes before her alarm. If Kakashi hadn't been peacefully sleeping beside her, she'd most likely have cursed at the top of her lungs.
Carefully, she slipped from his arms and slid off of the bed. Mei was careful as she tucked the covers around him and kissed his forehead gently to wake him.
"I'm going for my run now." She whispered, twirling his grey strands around her fingers. He pouted, and pulled her pillow into a hug.
"Hmm," Was all he could manage under her soothing fingertips. She snorted as he fell back asleep, and admired the peacefulness etched on his face. Soon, she dressed, stretched, and began her route along Konoha.
The morning air was crisp, and the ground felt a bit firmer. Mei's steps echoed a larger crunch from the occasional leaf on the ground. Dark greys and purples coated the skies as the early morning sun began to poke itself out of the horizon.
Mei grinned at the two guards always posted beside one another at the gate. Izumo and Kotesu waved back at her as she passed. Around halfway through her run, she encountered Guy's team running the opposite way. Mei offered a friendly wave, smiling as Guy and TenTen waved back. Neji bowed his head politely, and Lee turned his head.
Mei's face faltered momentarily. She quickly regained her speed and with a stoic face she continued ahead.